Project Community Connect Brings Services to the Homeless

For the 12th year, Project Community Connect brought a host of services and assistance to homeless individuals and families, this year at Zoo Town Church, located on Brooks in Missoula.

Reaching Home Coordinator Theresa Williams said up until this year the event was called ‘Project Homeless Connect’.

“We wanted to change the name so that anyone who needed any kind of services knew that they could attend the event,” said Williams. “The event is put on by the ‘At-Risk Housing Coalition, and takes about four months to plan and put together. Basically, it’s one-stop shopping for anyone who needs resources, services, or basic needs like a warm meal, winter coats or even medical services or a haircut, it’s all here.”

Williams said over 100 volunteers are making the day possible.

“We have folks who are doing ‘the point-in-time’ survey,” she said. “Every year we have to do a homeless census count, so we’re asking where you slept last night so we can get data for federal funding and for housing services. We also have ID’s and birth certificates, we’re pulling credit reports, and that’s just as you come in the main entrance.”

Williams said the entire church building is being utilized to offer services to Missoula’s homeless population.

“We also have medical care, dental care, vision care, haircuts and even pet services,” she said. “Last year, we had over 300 people come through and we provided over 2,000 individual services we provided to those 300, so there are a lot of people struggling even if they’re not homeless yet, there’s a huge demand for these services, a lot of people that could use some extra support.”

The event continues until 3:00 p.m. at Zoo Town Church on Brooks next to Paradise Falls Restaurant.